In any traditional business, there’s a certain way of doing things so that operations flow in a predictable and orderly way. Entrepreneurship is so far from that. It’s a fast-paced and highly uncertain environment. So what do you do if you’re interested in becoming an entrepreneur? How do you make the switch? Here are the ways successful entrepreneurs think differently when they adopt an entrepreneurial mindset.
To steal a line from one of my favorite, and oft misunderstood entrepreneurs, Steve Jobs – entrepreneurs “think different”.
All entrepreneurs have a different mindset that contributes to their success. When figuring out what will work best for you as you face the challenges of entrepreneurship, it can help to learn from the experiences of others.
So today, I want to share seven ways I adapted my mindset to become a successful entrepreneur.
1) Forget About Rules
Everything is new when you’re an entrepreneur. So, there are no precedents or right or wrong ways to do things.
To enjoy the phenomenal freedom and the high that comes from creating your own destiny, forget about the rules. Instead, make the best decisions you can in each moment and always look for a better way to do it the next time.
2) Do the Illogical
We are creatures of habit, and we’re used to doing things a certain way—the logical way. However, you can’t use the same logic when you’re in a totally different environment and you need different results.
As an entrepreneur, you’ve got to change your paradigm. Develop a mantra, “Do the illogical,” to help you step outside of your box to do things in a bigger, better and faster way.
3) Go with Your Gut
You will often have to make decisions with very limited information, sometimes with as little as 10% of what you need to know. You can’t just sit there and wait until you have enough information—that will never happen. You’ve got to keep things moving so you’ve got to act now, and you do that by trusting your gut.
When I first started working with Bob Proctor, it was really challenging for me to do this. However, now I go with my gut all the time, and it has led to amazing things.
4) Be Willing to Lose It All
Most everyone is afraid of failing and losing what they have. However, as an entrepreneur, if you’re not willing to go out there and fail, you’re probably not going to do much of anything. So, realize that, at one point or another, you will fail.
Develop the mindset of, “If I fail, I’m going to get up and I’m going to get stronger. If I created it once, I can create it again.” It’s a very freeing idea that leads to more creativity and often unexpected results.
5) Act with Fear
Fear and growth go hand in hand. Don’t ever let fear stop you—embrace it and move through it. When you face the fear, you automatically experience the growth.
6) Don’t Second Guess Yourself
You’re constantly coming up with new ideas and developing concepts when you’re an entrepreneur. Once you’ve decided something, don’t debate it in your head. Go with it.
Bob Proctor taught me this years ago when I was afraid to send an email to all of my law clients letting them know I was closing the practice. He said, “HIT SEND!” So, I did, and the payoff was huge.
7) Strive for Excellence
Set and maintain a standard of excellence—be obsessed with quality. The pursuit of excellence brings the very best of you to whatever you are doing.
I hope that you found some things on my list that will help you in your own entrepreneurial adventures.
We’re here to help you succeed in any way we can. So, tell us, which entrepreneurial mindset did you find the most inspiring, and which would you like more help with? We’re all ears.
